That is the warning from the British Security Industry Association, which points out that only systems compliant with the new British Standard 8418:2003 are now eligible to obtain a URN from the police.
Detector-activated (or remotely monitored) CCTV systems are becoming increasingly popular for large or exposed sites out of hours as an alternative to continuous live monitoring of images. They alert a Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC) when an incident occurs (and a detector is activated) at which point images of the site can be viewed and appropriate action taken.
Adam Wiseberg, Chairman of the BSIA CCTV Section, explained why the development is so significant. “Where premises need to be secured and high value items protected 24/7, remotely monitored CCTV is undoubtedly an effective and economical solution.
“Now that URNs are available for these systems, the RVRC personnel can confirm that the activation is genuine by viewing the CCTV images and alerting the police, gaining a Level 1 response – which is effectively immediate.
“This contrasts with non-compliant systems, Type B, where no police response is normally forthcoming. Looking ahead, the insistence on only BS 8418 compliant systems being eligible should pay dividends – making a huge reduction in false alarm rates a realistic prospect.
